Daily Devotions
Mark
Day 31
Text: Mark1 "But to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you..." 1 Peter 1:12
BEGINNING EACH DAY WITH GOD
After a hard day’s work, most would think that it is perfectly all right to “take it easy” the next day. Not where Jesus was concerned. After a long day of ministry, He would still begin the morning in prayer.
“Now in the morning, having risen a long while before
daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place,
and there He prayed.”MARK 1:35
How may we appreciate this practice of prayer in the life of the Lord Jesus? What does this text reveal about Him?
1. There was a love for communion with the Father in prayer
There must have been a tremendous sense of closeness between the Father and the Son! Nothing could ever hinder the determination to keep alive their intimate relationship!
2. There was a cultivation of a great spiritual discipline
For Jesus to have worked till late at night and then wake up very early in the morning to resume communion with the Father must mean that this spiritual discipline must have already been established a long time ago.
3. There was a strong sense of need to bring all matters of life and ministry to the Father
Even if Jesus were the Son of God, He would never have overstepped Himself. He would also seek His Father’s counsel. He would always seek His Father’s approval and blessing before He began His day.
4. There was a need to practise stillness of soul
This was important to maintain. It is not easy to maintain equilibrium when there are so many needs to be met, and so much evil to confront and defeat. The mind could become ensnarled by work. The emotions could be ruffled. The peace that passes understanding from God must be sought in prayer so that perfect equilibrium may be maintained.
5. There was a need to obtain fresh orders from the Father each day
Jesus was merely fulfilling the prophecy that Isaiah uttered so long ago. The Father would especially set aside time to teach His Messianic Servant (Cf. Isaiah 50:4).
6. There was the need to set a great example to the Disciples
None of the disciples could match the strength and stamina Jesus manifested. They needed to emulate His lifestyle in every way possible, including learning how to rise up early in the morning to meet with God in prayer.